1. TriStar MPPT Training Program
Brad Berwald
Sr. Sales Engineer

2. Training Overview TriStar Family Applications – where is it used?
Product Details – ratings, specs and features.
MPPT Advantages – the benefits of an MPPT controller over other types.
Competitive Advantages – TriStar MPPT’s features that beat the competition
Sizing and Setup – how to configure the TS MPPT
Product Communications – all the ways you can communicate with the TS MPPT
Questions?

3. TriStar Applications

4. TriStar Applications
With its several operating modes and sizing configurations, the TriStar family of controllers is perfect in the following applications:
Scalable Telecommunications systems from 1-15kw
Residential Off-Grid and Grid-Tie with battery
RV and Boating (Mobile Market)
Traffic and Highway Telemetry
Industrial Automation and control systems (SCADA)
Larger scale Solar Outdoor Lighting
Following are some of the applications the
TriStar has been used in. (TriStar PWM is shown)

5. Back-Up System
Five TS-60’s used in parallel to provide charging for this 10kW communications building.

6. Norway Weather Station
Dual TriStar System used for Wind and Solar charging in very Northern region.

7. Portable Power Station
Two TriStars used for 5kw system in military application.

8. Product Details

9. Ratings and Features 150V Maximum Open Circuit Voltage
45A and 60A Versions
150V Maximum Open Circuit Voltage
MPPT charge control with TrakStar TechnologyTM

10. Maximizes Energy Harvest
• Very fast sweeping of the entire I-V curve
• Recognition of multiple power points during shading or mixed PV arrays
• Excellent performance at sunrise and low solar insolation levels

11. Robust Thermal Design
• Passively cooled – no fans required
• Parallel circuit design provides less stress and longer life for electronic components
• No mechanical relays
• Extensive electronic protections including PV short circuit protection
• Epoxy encapsulated inductors and conformally coated printed circuit boards

12. Electrical Specifications
Peak Efficiency
99%
Nominal System Voltage
12, 24, 36 or 48 volts DC
Max. Solar Open Circuit Voltage
150 VDC
Battery Operating Voltage Range
8-68 VDC
Maximum Self-consumption
2.3 Watts
Transient Surge Protection
4500 Watts/terminal

13. TriStar MPPT Sizing 12 Volt 600 Watts 800 Watts 24 Volt 1200 Watts
With the TriStar MPPT you can size in pure watts since the controller provides the maximum current available from the system after conversion. Wattages in excess of those below will be held to controller current limit.
Battery
TS – MPPT-45
TS – MPPT-60
12 Volt
600 Watts
800 Watts
24 Volt
1200 Watts
1600 Watts
48 Volt
2400 Watts
3200 Watts

14. Electronic Protections
Solar: Overload, Short Circuit, High Voltage
Battery: High Voltage
High Temperature
Lightning and Transient Surges – all terminals
Reverse Current at Night

15. Certifications CE Compliant ETL Listed (UL1741)
FCC Class B Part 15 Compliant
Complies with (NEC) U.S. National Electric Code
RoHS Compliant
Manufactured in a certified ISO 9001 facility

16. MPPT Advantages

17. Charge Controllers: MPPT vs. PWM
PWM Charge Control
MPPT Charge Control
PV Array and Battery Voltages must match.
Array is sized in Amps based in Imp of modules.
Less expensive
Simpler series switching charge control circuit using PWM pulse charge control.
Array can be higher nominal voltage than battery and controller converters power down.
Array is sized in watts
High Frequency charge control

18. Maximum Power Point Tracking
The Technology behind maximum energy harvest.
1. The controller needs to keep the module operating at the Vmp to ensure rated output in watts of the PV module.
2. Accounts for changes in temperature and irradiance through the day.
3. Ensures grid-tie modules (i.e. 54 and 72 cell) are optimized in voltage for effective battery charge regardless of their nominal voltage.
Even the largest and most efficient controller can give up crucial power if not tracking the power point of the module correctly. Speed and logic in the tracking algorithm yield gains that pure size and efficiency cannot make on their own.

19. MPPT Economics TS-60 PWM + RTS $258 TS MPPT-60 + RTS $669
MSRP
TS-60 PWM + RTS
$258
TS MPPT-60 + RTS
$669
Incremental cost of MPPT
$411
PV Module Cost/Wp $4
Boost Needed to cover MPPT cost (Wp)
103 Watts
Boost Needed to cover MPPT cost (%):
500 Wp PV array
21%
1kWp PV array
10%
1.5 kWp PV array 7%

20. MPPT Benefits
“Boost” – % gain in charging amps out of the same module used on a PWM controller. The greater the gap between Vmp and battery voltage, the more the boost in current the battery receives.
-Cold modules increase the gain due to higher Vmp
-low battery voltages increase the gain when needed most
High Voltage Wire Runs – smaller wire can be used and greater distances achieved using higher voltage PV input due to less voltage drop.
Shading and cloud irradiance effects – Cloud edge effect can cause the module to exceed its rated wattage for a short time. Shading can cause tricky IV curve shapes. MPPT can follow both these changes to ensure maximum power during these conditions.
Low Battery Protection – when the battery is very low, a high voltage difference between the PV Vmp and the battery voltage causes an even greater power boost. This can prevent an LVD at a time when the power is most needed.

21. Maximum Power Point Tracking
IV Curve
Power Graph

22. MPPT Boost
Since Vmp and battery voltage levels are in constant change, it is difficult to calculate boost through out a long period of time. To estimate potential benefit of MPPT over a PWM controller you can use the following calculation:
System Assumptions
12V System
3 PV Modules in system
25C Ambient Temperature
No BOS voltage drops
Perfect controller efficiency
Estimate of charge amps
Between Imp and Isc
130W PV Module
7.39 Imp
17.6 Vmp
21.9 Voc
186W PV Module
6.95 Imp
25.9 Vmp
32.6 Voc

23. MPPT Boost – Off-Grid Module
130W Sized in Amps
TriStar PWM
3 Modules in Parallel (390W)
7.8A x 3 modules in parallel
130W Sized in Watts
TriStar MPPT
3 Modules in Parallel
130W x 3 = 390W
390W PV
13V battery
= 23.4A into the battery
(304W)
= 30A into the battery
(390W)
28% more potential power when used with MPPT

24. MPPT Boost – Grid-Tie Module
186W Sized in Amps
TriStar PWM
3 Modules in Parallel (558W)
25.9 Vmp is far greater than 13Vbatt
7.5A x 3 modules in parallel
186W Sized in Watts
TriStar MPPT
3 Modules in parallel
186W x 3 = 558W
25.9 Vmp is converted down Vbatt.
558W PV
13V battery
= 22.5A into the battery
(293W)
=43A into the battery
(558W)
A PWM controller is really not an option with this type of PV module. You may lose half your available power!

25. Maximum Power Point Tracking Techniques
MPPT Tracking Algorithms on the market:
Full Sweep - scans entire PV array from 0-150V.
Pros: Sees everything on the IV curve, not easily fooled.
Cons: Slow, sometimes takes an extended time for a full sweep during which charging is far from the true Vmp.
Dynamic Tracking – stays near Vmp and makes minor rapid adjustments.
Pros: Faster
Cons: Can get hung up on a local peak and miss the true peak power point.

26. TrakStar MPPT Comparison
Full I-V Curve Sweep

27. TrakStar MPPT Comparison
Dynamic Tracking

28. Dynamic tracking alone causes the controller to:
-Only see what is happening locally at the presumed power point.
-Not detect what true Voc is.
-Be fooled by shading effects, mixed module types or flat IV curves often seen on thin film modules.
-Take time to re-track during periods of fast changing irradiance and temperature levels. (cool winds on the panel surface or fast moving clouds).

29. Dynamic Tracking by itself leaves you in the dark as to where the best Vmp point is.

30. By not venturing further up the curve, you may be missing a big opportunity for more power.

31. Maximum Power Point Tracking
Morningstar TrakStar Technology
- Full array sweeps from 0-150V in ¼ second! Other controllers can take up to 30 seconds during which light levels could change.
- The TS-MPPT offers the ability to sweep often to make sure to not miss any fast changing max power points.
- Dual chipset provides specialized control
-DSP – high speed MPPT, charge control, protections and data logging
-Secondary Processor – Ethernet and communications

32. Competitive Advantages

33. TriStar MPPT – minimal power draw designed for remote power systems.

34. TriStar MPPT - Industry Leading Efficiency

35. TriStar MPPT - Industry Leading Efficiency
Outback FM60 Efficiency Curve

36. TriStar MPPT - Industry Leading Efficiency

37. Price Comparison (US Retail Prices in $)
M Star
Outback
Xantrex
TS MPPT
FM-60 % XW
TriStar MPPT-45
531
749
-29%
685
-22%
TriStar MPPT-60
669
-11%
-2%
TriStar MPPT-45 with RTS
778
-32%
TriStar MPPT-60 with RTS
-14%
TriStar MPPT-45 with meter
635
-15%
-7%
TriStar MPPT-60 with meter
773 3%
13%
TriStar MPPT-45 with RTS and meter
-18%
TriStar MPPT-60 with RTS and meter
0.5%
Note: You can view TS MPPT-60 from a web browser and often times will not need a meter

38. TS MPPT sizing and setup

39. String Sizing Calculator
Morningstar’s string calculator allows you size compatible PV strings for all of Morningstar’s charge controllers. (both PWM and MPPT.
You can select from a pre-populated module database or enter your own module ratings.
The calculator also accounts for ambient temperature and battery voltages which affect temperature compensation and MPPT charge levels.

40. TriStar Charge Settings
Battery voltage detection is automatic for 12, 24 and 48V systems or can be fixed if desired.
The PV Array requires nothing to be configured. Simply connect the array and any voltage from Vbatt up to Voc will be detected and charging will begin automatically and at the most efficient level possible.

41. DIP Switch Settings
Battery Type is the only major decision that has to be made.
We use simple DIP switch combinations to give you a complete battery charging profile with all the stages, timers and voltages pre-configured for a given battery type. Usually jumping to just one or two presets will become second nature for most system installs.
You really only need look at switches 4,5 and 6 to choose the battery type.
You can also choose to enable auto-equalization or not with switch 7.

42. DIP Switch Settings
If desired, more sophisticated settings can be programmed and an open preset is available for the user or installer to create their own custom setting using our free PC software, MS View.
This setting allows editing of very fine details, even allowing you to set maximum charge ceilings, extended absorption or equalization cycles.

43. Product Communications

44. TriStar MPPT Communications
Networked Controllers Working Together
Controllers interacting with other site hardware
Data logging of site data for later retrieval
Remote monitoring and control

45. TriStar and TriStar MPPT with HUB
The TriStar MPPT can be paralleled with other TriStars or TriStar MPPT controllers when used with the Morningstar HUB.
This shares the utility and cost of a single meter with multiple units.
It accumulates data on the meter for the sum of the system but still lets you view individual TS unit data (unit 1,2,3 etc.)
Stacking multiple HUBs allows support for up to 15 total meterbus devices including controllers, meters and our relay driver which is used for alarm contact and genstart functionality.

46. TriStar and TriStar MPPT with HUB

47. TriStar and TriStar MPPT with HUB
A single TS-M2 will scan the meter bus and detect all connected TriStars and their mode of operation (charge or load)
You get system power totals as well as individual controller detail for specific information and troubleshooting.

48. HUB and Meter Economics
MSRP
5 x TS MPPT-60 + RTS
$3345
5 x TS-M2 Meter Display
$520
TS-M2 + HUB
$219
Savings:
$301

49. TS MPPT Internal Data Logging
Internal daily logged values stored in controller memory show a variety of power information, voltage and current thresholds in the system. It also logs daily events such as faults or maintenance cycles.
Max Battery Voltage
Min Battery Voltage
Max Array Voltage
Amp Hours
Watt Hours
Daily Events
-Equalize/Float Stages Triggered
-Alarms
-Faults
Absorption Stage Time (mins)
Equalization Stage Time (mins)
Float Stage Time (mins)

50. TS MPPT Remote Data Logging with TS Meter 2
The TriStars data logging information can be easily viewed in the following ways:
1. Viewed locally using any connected TS-M2 meter display (60 days)

51. TS MPPT Remote Data Logging with MS View
2. Downloaded locally using the serial RS-232/485 connection or remotely using the Ethernet TCP/IP connection (200 day file)
This log file can be viewed in MS View so you can see and graph up to the previous 200 days of daily logged values.

52. TS MPPT Remote Data Logging with MS View
3. A continuous internet connection allows for a logging file to record data over a very long period of time at an interval set by the user. This log file is written to a CSV format and can be used for very detailed logging of key data occurring at intervals of every day or every 5 seconds if desired.
This log file can be viewed in MS View graphically so you can also see comparative graphs to analyze the information or it could analyzed graphically using a spreadsheet program like MS Excel.

53. TS MPPT Remote Data Logging with MS View
4. The TS MPPT web interface allows you to also view up to 200 days of the internal data logging information through a simple HTML table interface. No software is needed and the web page can be viewed with any full web browser application on any computing platform. Just another simple way the TS MPPT allows you to get your system data.

54. TriStar – Notification
Often a remote data connection is not something that can be continually monitored due to the lack of bandwidth, or the fact that there are two many sites to effective keep track of in real time. The TS MPPT with Ethernet offers two solutions to better manage large quantities of sites.
SNMP – Simple Network Management Protocol
SNMP is a network standard that allows networked equipment to send out a proactive alert in the event of a problem with the system. A listening server will detect these alerts and allow for identification to pursue further information about the problem.
Alerts – Programmable Proactive Alerts
Using comparative logic, the user can setup conditions that the TS MPPT will watch for and when detected, can send an with details of the alert and on which unit it happened.

55. TriStar – Notification Setup

56. TriStar Notifications
and SNMP Alerts –Proactive Alerts
Using comparative logic, the user can setup conditions that the TS MPPT will watch for and when detected, can send an or SNMP trap with details of the alert and on which unit it happened.

57. TriStar – MODBUS Open Protocol
All of Morningstar’s data enabled controllers use an open industrial data protocol known as MODBUS. By choosing this type of protocol, we allow 3rd party software and hardware to easily communicate with our controllers. We do not limit the customer to our proprietary hardware to use our system information.
MODBUS is continuing to be chosen as the standard of choice for remote telemetry, power monitoring and inter-device communication. We believe MODBUS support will allow our products to grow easily with the industry’s rapid pace of energy technology development.

58. TriStar – Data Summary
There are many different options for communicating with the TriStar MPPT. Depending on the level of detail needed, the timeliness of the need for that data and the communications resources available, a variety of choices can be used to best meet the needs of the system and user.
Data Type
Detail
Time Period
Proactive or On Demand
MS View PC Software
Best
Instant and historical
On Demand
Web-HTML
Good
TS-M2 Meter
SNMP
Basic
Instant
Proactive

59. TriStar MPPT
Summary
The TriStar MPPT delivers with Morningstar’s consistent offering of quality, reliability and unique features.
It offers the latest Solar MPPT charge control, industry leading efficiency and temperature performance as well as sophisticated new Ethernet functionality at a compelling price.
It’s scalability and ease of use should make it another Morningstar product you can count on to complement your off-grid product portfolio.